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‘Web Series Tandav can hurt religious harmony’: UP Police files FIR against makers, police team to be sent to Mumbai

OpIndia Staff
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‘Web Series Tandav can hurt religious harmony’: UP Police files FIR against makers, police team to be sent to Mumbai

On January 17, late at night, the Hazratganj Police in Lucknow has filed an FIR against Ali Abbas Jafar and Gaurav Solanki, the makers of the web series Tandav, for allegedly using derogatory language against Hindu Gods that can lead to religious disharmony. The FIR was lodged by senior sub-inspector Amarnath Yadav. Amazon Prime’s India head of original content, Aparna Purohit, producer Himanshu Krishna Mehra and others have been named in the FIR. Notably, the Information and Broadcasting ministry has summoned the makers over the alleged Hinduphobic content.

Somen Barma, Deputy Commissioner of Police, central zone, said that a police team would leave for Mumbai on Monday morning to investigate and interrogate those who have been named in the FIR. Those who have been named in the FIR are booked under:

  • Section 153-A (vilification or attacks upon the religion, race, place of birth, residence, language etc. of any particular group or class or upon the founders and prophets of a religion)
  • Section 295 (destruction, damage, or defilement of a place of worship or an object held sacred, with intent to insult the religion of a class of persons, punishable with imprisonment which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both),
  • Section 505(1)(b) (intent to cause or likely to cause fear or alarm among the public, or any section of the public whereby any person may be induced to commit an offence against the state or against the public tranquillity),
  • Section 505(2) (offence in any place of worship or in any assembly engaged in the performance of religious worship or religious ceremonies), and 469 (Forgery for the purpose of harming reputation) of Indian Penal Code)
  • Section 66, 66F and 67 of the IT Act.

The FIR says that during surveillance of social media platform Twitter, it was found that there were angry outbursts against the content of the web series Tandav that was released on January 16. People were found sharing clippings of the web series. The senior officials instructed them to check the web series. It was found that at the 17th minute of the first episode, characters playing Hindu Gods and Goddesses were seen using abusive, derogatory language that is hurtful to the sentiments of a community.

Excerpts from FIR (Source: Twitter)

The FIR further said, “Similarly, in the 22nd minute of the same episode, efforts have been made to ignite caste clashes. The person holding a dignified post like that of prime minister has been shown in a very derogatory manner throughout the web series.”

Yadav further added that there are scenes that depict differences based on caste and derogatory language against the women. The web series attempts to harm the religious, social and administrative fabric of the country and spread obscenity.

Case registered under serious sections

Shalabh Mani Tripathi, Information Consultant CMO UP, said in a tweet that serious cases had been registered against the entire team of Tandav, and they will be arrested soon.

BJP leader Ram Kadam has also filed a complaint against the series.

Uttar Pradesh surpasses its paddy purchase target two months in advance, makes record payment to farmers

OpIndia Staff
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Uttar Pradesh surpasses its paddy purchase target two months in advance, makes record payment to farmers

The Uttar Pradesh government on Sunday announced that it has crossed its target of paddy purchase about two months in advance. UP is the first state in the country to do so. As per information given by the state government, in past four years, the state government has paid over Rs 32,000 crore to paddy farmers. Payment to wheat farmers has also crossed Rs 30,000 crore.

While the state government has surpassed the procurement target, Yogi Adityanath has instructed that the procurement of produce will continue in the state. The state government has already procured 60 lakh metric tonnes of grains as against the target of 55 lakh metric tonnes of grain. This is 1.5 times the quantity procured as compared to this period in previous year.

As per the state government figures, about 8 lakh farmers in the state have been paid Rs 7,800 crore. Till February 28, UP government to continue to procure grains, groundnut and other Kharif crops.

Record-breaking payment to farmers

UP government has made record-breaking payment to wheat farmers. In past four years, to over 33 lakh wheat farmers, the government has paid Rs 29,017.45 crore. Further, as of December 14, 2020, wheat and grain farmers were paid Rs 60,922.23 crore, which has been the highest payout ever to the farmers. The state government further stated that it has made record payment to sugarcane farmers in the state.

Strawberry farming in Bundelkhand

Strawberry Festival was inaugurated by UP CM Yogi Adityanath which was held in Jhansi, Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh. Stating that strawberry farming in Bundelkhand is no less than miracle, UP CM Yogi Adityanath said that it has given a new identity to the region.

72.46 farmers across India benefitted from Kharif Marketing Season procurement operations

The Ministry of Agriculture in a recent statement said that paddy procurement for Kharif 2020-21 is continuing smoothly in the procuring States of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Chandigarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam, Karnataka and West Bengal.

As per the government, this has benefited nearly 72.46 lakh farmers. The Ministry further said that out of the total purchase of over 541 lakh metric tonnes, Punjab alone has contributed 202.77 lakh metric tonnes which is 37.47 per cent of total procurement.

Pakistan claims India staged Pulwama attack after Mumbai Police leaks chat to embarrass Arnab, Republic hits back: Details

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan claims India staged Pulwama attack after Mumbai Police leaks chat to embarrass Arnab, Republic hits back: Details

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan has now issued a statement on the nonsensical controversy surrounding the private WhatsApp chats of Arnab Goswami which were leaked by the Mumbai Police. Referring to portions involving the Balakot airstrikes, Pakistan claims that its stand has been vindicated and exposed “India’s sinister designs”. Pakistan, known for exporting terrorism, claims the Pulwama terror attack was a “false flag”.

The claims made in the statement are nearly indistinguishable from those made by opposition parties. It said, “The latest revelations further confirm what Pakistan has consistently pointed out: The BJP government stages “false flag” operations; maligns Pakistan with terrorism-related allegations; stokes hyper-nationalism in the country; claims to have launched so-called “surgical strike”; and then deviously manipulates national sentiment in its bid to win elections. The pattern is unmistakable, and has been repeated to suit the RSS-BJP regime’s electoral calculations.”

Pakistan went so far as to add, “The transcripts also illustrate the unholy nexus between the ‘Hindutva’ regime and its cronies in the Indian media. On the one hand, they show how far and deeply the extremist agenda of the RSS-BJP combine has permeated India’s institutions and pillars of the State. On the other hand, they show how the rights and freedoms of Indian citizens and democratic values in Indian society are being seriously jeopardized through cynical manipulation.”

Republic TV has responded to the statement by Pakistan. It has said in its own statement, “The desperation with which the Government of Pakistan has attacked the Republic Media Network in an open forum today, also lays bare the involvement of anti-lndia forces in the conspiracy behind the Republic Media Network. As the days pass, we will expose this conspiracy and the involvement of people who are working against national interest.”

Republic TV has responded to the Pakistan statement over Arnab Goswami leaked private WhatsApp chats
Republic TV has responded to the Pakistan statement over Arnab Goswami’s leaked private WhatsApp chats

Republic also also urged the Congress party to “stop working in tandem with the Government of Pakistan, consciously or unconsciously, to spread lies against India’s interests.” We had reported earlier that Arnab Goswami in the leaked chats did not say anything that was not already in public domain. Former Maharashtra CM from the Congress party Prithviraj Chavan had admitted that the chats were leaked by the Mumbai Police. Congress is part of the ruling alliance in Maharashtra.

The leaked chat shows Arnab saying, “Bigger than a normal airstrike. And on the same time something major on Kashmir. On Pakistan the government is confident of striking in a way that people will be elated. Exact words used.”

However, the comments made by Arnab Goswami were consistent with the message Prime Minister Modi had coveyed to Indians in the previous days. Narendra Modi had said on the 15th of February, 2019, a day after the terror attack that the blood of the people was boiling and that the terrorists had committed a “grave mistake” and would pay a heavy price for it.

The Prime Minister went to the extent of saying that “our neighbouring country forgets that this (India) is a country with new intent and new policy.” In the backdrop of this, it was abundantly clear that something big was indeed coming.

“Trust the brave soldiers of the country and trust the Modi government…This time, everyone will be taken to justice and complete justice will be served,” Prime Minister Modi said on the 23rd of February, 3 days prior to the attack, “Your pradhan sevak is busy finishing terror…If I am destined to put locks to the factory of terror, so be it.”

Pakistani PM Imran Khan himself was expecting retaliation from India and was pleading the UN to defuse the tension. Thus, it is abundantly clear that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan is attempting to use a gross violation of privacy by the Mumbai Police to target India.

Fake letter on Delhi BJP’s letterhead circulated containing derogatory comments and inciting violence against protesting farmers

OpIndia Staff
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Fake letter on Delhi BJP’s letterhead circulated containing derogatory comments and inciting violence against protesting farmers

Even as the deadlock over the farmer protests continues despite several rounds of meeting with the union govt, now an attempt has been made to allege that BJP leaders are insulting the farmers. A fake letter purportedly written by Delhi BJP leader Rajesh Bhatia is being circulated on WhatsApp, which contains derogatory remarks for the protesting farmers and incites the BJP workers for violence against protesting farmers to end the protests.

The letter, bearing the name and signature of ‘General Secretary’ and ‘Chief of the state headquarters’ Rajesh Bhatia, says that the due to the arrogant nature of the farmers, no conclusion has resulted after the meetings. As a result, ‘we have to make ourself strong for the interest of the nation,’ says the letter. Calling the protestors as ‘deshdrohis’, the letter says that efforts must be made to make the planned tractor rally on 26th January a failure.

The letter then goes on to assure that there will be legal action against violence done against the anti-farm law protestors if required, and asks the party workers to be ready for the same and keep in touch with the party office.

But, the entire letter is fake, made on the official letterhead of Delhi BJP, the BJP leaders have confirmed. While Rajesh Bhatia is a BJP leader, at present he does not hold any post in Delhi BJP. Someone used a Delhi BJP letterhead, forged Bhatia’s signature, and circulate the fake letter to instigate farmers against the BJP, in an attempt to derail any move towards resolving the protests.

After the letter emerged, Rajesh Bhatia lodged a complaint against it with the Delhi police. He said that he has come to know through some journalists and WhatsApp groups that a fake letter on Delhi BJP’s letterhead with his signature containing objectionable language for the farmers is being circulated. He has said that he has not written such a letter and he does not have such dirty thoughts.

He asked the Rajendra Nagar police to take legal action against the persons who have issued, circulated and forwarded the fake letter.

Shiv Sena to contest West Bengal Assembly elections

OpIndia Staff
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Shiv Sena to contest West Bengal Assembly elections

Shiv Sena is going to contest the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections.

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut today took to Twitter to make this announcement. Raut referred to the same as ‘much awaited update’ and said that the party has decided to contest the upcoming elections. “We are reaching Kolkata soon. Jai Hind, Jai Bangla,” he tweeted.

However, it is not yet clear whether the party will contest along with its coalition partner Congress in West Bengal.

The West Bengal Assembly elections are scheduled to be held later this year.

Shiv Sena had earlier contested Assembly elections in 2016 and general elections in 2019. Recently, Shiv Sena contested Bihar Assembly elections where it failed to win a single seat.

Bihar: Transgenders to be recruited into police either through direct appointment or competitive exam, reservations to be provided

OpIndia Staff
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Bihar: Transgenders to be recruited into police either through direct appointment or competitive exam, reservations to be provided

The Bihar Police will now recruit people from the transgender community into its ranks after the state home department notified the matter following high-level discussions. According to reports, reservations will also be provided to the transgender community for the posts of constable and inspector with one seat out of 500 being reserved for them.

The Bihar Government has decided that people from the transgender community can now be recruited directly or by routine competitive process. A Superintendent of Police will have the authority to appoint them directly as a constable and a DIG will have the authority to appoint them a Sub-Inspector (SI). The basic educational qualification required for the same would be in accordance with the rules and regulations of Bihar Police Manual, 1978.

If the reserved seats are not filled by people from the transgender community, then the remaining will be filled by candidates from the general category. The parameters for physical fitness will be equivalent to those of female candidates while in terms of age, the minimum limit would be as per that mentioned in recruitment advertisements and the maximum would be equivalent to that of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, Times of India reported.

“Government has taken steps for their recruitment in state police with which they would be integrated in the organization. We will do our best for them on the basis of their count in which they would get recruited after examination,” DGP Sanjeev Kumar Singhal said on Saturday.

‘Azadi’ slogans raised at Azad Maidan in Mumbai as thousands of Muslim protestors gathered to protest against farm laws

OpIndia Staff
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‘Azadi’ slogans raised at Azad Maidan in Mumbai as thousands of Muslim protestors gathered to protest against farm laws

On Saturday, thousands of Muslim protestors gathered at the Azad Maidan in Mumbai to show ‘solidarity’ with the so-called farmers protesting against the historic farm laws enacted by the Union government.

ABP News reported that the protestors raised ‘Azadi’ slogans in support of the farmers at the ‘Kissan Alliance Morcha’ that was held at the Azad Maidan yesterday. “Mumbaikars support farmers’ protest,” read the banner on the stage. Reportedly, demonstrators across several social organisations have organised the movement against the farm laws.

Video Courtesy: Youtube/ABP News

As per reports, preparations are underway to give the protests the shape of a national movement as witnessed between December 2019 – February 2020 during anti-CAA protests. Under the pretext that Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) would strip Muslims of their citizenship, ‘protestors’ had gone on a rampage killing 52 people and injuring more than 200 people in the Anti-Hindu riots in Delhi. Questions are now being raised whether the ‘farmer protests’ will eventually pan out like the Anti-CAA protests.

Anti-farm law ‘protestor’ lists perks to draw support of Muslims

In an undated video that has now surfaced on social media, one such anti-farm law ‘protestor’ was seen gathering support for so-called farmers in the name of Triple Talaq, Kathua rape case and the NRC. “Today, we are distressed. It is our responsibility to get people out of their homes. Tomorrow, we will have to reach the Azad Maidan and gather near the masjid. We have made arrangements for bus travel, food and water. We will ensure the security of everyone.”

As pointed out by several social media users, the man did not even mention the farm laws for once and instead listed the amenities available at Azad Maidan to gather support for the protests on Saturday.

’Guilty until proven innocent?’: Ex-BARC chief’s daughter makes yet another appeal to Maharashtra CM as her father’s health deteriorates

OpIndia Staff
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’Guilty until proven innocent?’: Ex-BARC chief’s daughter makes yet another appeal to Maharashtra CM as her father’s health deteriorates

Pratyusha Dasgupta, daughter of Ex-BARC chief Partho Dasgupta, has made another appeal to the Maharashtra Chief Minister as her father’s health deteriorates. Dasgupta is currently admitted to the hospital. Partho was brought to the hospital in an unconscious state on January 15 from jail after he was arrested by Mumbai police in connection with the TRP manipulation case. His family only came to know about his condition the next day.

In the recent post, Pratyusha claimed that Partho’s family had been denied basic visitation rights in the hospital. While fearing for his life, she wrote, “Do we live in a system of guilty until proven innocent? All we are asking for is basic rights. My father, Partho Dasgupta, is in ICU, from judicial custody and we his family are being denied basic visitation rights. I fear for his life, knowing how unwell he already was. Will we be allowed to see him only after it is too late? Will it take a death in custody for this country to hear us?”

Dasgupta’s wife has also filed a petition with the National Human Rights Commission in which she mentioned that her husband Partho Dasgupta was admitted to JJ Hospital by Taloja officials presumably and is in a very critical condition.

Mumbai Police arrested Dasgupta on December 25 in the alleged TRP tempering case. Since then, he is in judicial custody. His family has alleged that someone was paid in the jail to beat him.

Enforcement Directorate seeks permission from Rajasthan High Court for custodial interrogation of Robert Vadra in benami property case

OpIndia Staff
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Enforcement Directorate seeks permission from Rajasthan High Court for custodial interrogation of Robert Vadra in benami property case

The Enforcement Directorate has approached the Rajasthan High Court seeking custodial interrogation of Robert Vadra in a benami property case. The Rajasthan High Court in Jodhpur will accordingly hear the matter.

According to reports, the ED has sought the High Court’s permission to question Robert Vadra and his associate Mahesh Nagar in the Bikaner land dealing case in its custody. A single judge bench of justice P S Bhati will hear the matter on Monday.

The case relates to purchasing of land by Vadra’s associate Mahesh Nagar on behalf of Skylight Hospitality, a company owned by Vadra. Nagar had power of attorney issued by the company, using which he had done land dealings on behalf of the company. In a sting operation done by Republic TV, Mahesh Nagar had said that Robert Vadra used different fronts and names for his land deals.

ED is also proving a land deal by Vadra’s company in Bikaner, where the land may have been obtained from farmers by looting and duping them. The state government had cancelled the transfer of 374.44 hectares of land sold in various deals after it was found that land allotments were made in the name of fake persons. 

The ED had registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in this matter in 2015, after the state police had filed FIRs based on a complaint by local tehsildar alleging forgery in the deal. It is alleged that Skylight had sold 69.55 hectares of land to Allegeny Finlease at ₹7.41 lakh per hectare, but it had purchased the land at the rate of ₹ 1 lakh per hectare. Mahesh Nagar had bought and sold land on behalf of Skylight Hospitality.

The amount used by Allegeny Finlease to buy the land came from a loan given by Bhushan Power and Steel company (BSPL). In the same year, BSPL was granted an exemption of ₹500 crore by the Income Tax Settlement Commission (ITSC), a decision which has come under the scanner.

Earlier OpIndia had published an exclusive report with documents showing that Mahesh Nagar had signed on purchase documents on behalf of Robert Vadra. He had said that he was getting money from HL Pahwa, who is deeply involved with the Gandhi-Vadra family in land deals.

Police to issue summons to makers of Tandav web series after BJP leader Ram Kadam lodges complaint against its Hinduphobic content

OpIndia Staff
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Police to issue summons to makers of Tandav web series after BJP leader Ram Kadam lodges complaint against its Hinduphobic content

The web series Tandav, which was released on January 15 on Amazon Prime, is gaining criticism for Hinduphobic content. Viewers have alleged that it not only has castist content but also insults Lord Shiva and Lord Ram. Amid growing criticism of the Saif Ali Khan starer show, BJP’s Ram Kadam has filed a complaint against actor Zeeshan Ayyub and the web series demanding an apology for insulting Hindu Gods. He asked why films and web series are regularly indulging in spreading Hinduphobic content.

In his complaint, Kadam wrote, “I would like to inform you that in web series Tandav, Hindu Gods have been insulted. This has hurt feelings of the Hindus. Ali Abbas, director of web Series, is glorifying leftist ideology. Zeeshan has insulted Lord Shiva. Request you to file charges on OTT platform, director, producer, writer and actors and stop the streaming of series. Also, specific communities have been insulted in the series. So please take necessary action (Translated from Marathi).”

Complaint filed by Ram Kadam

Police issued summons to the makers

After receiving a complaint from Kadam, the police has issued summons to the makers of Tandav. A case has been filed under Section 295A (Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs), Section 67A of IT ACT (sexually explicit act or conduct) and Atrocities act.

Kapil Mishra complaints to I&B minister

BJP leader Kapil Mishra has also shared his views on the controversy. He has appealed to Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar to ban the TV series. Mishra has released a video in which he alleged that the web series is a conspiracy to stir violence in the country. He further alleged that Dalits were insulted in the series.

Earlier, the Bombay High Court lawyer Ashutosh Dubey sent legal notices to Ali Abbas Zafar and Amazon Prime Video for the Hinduphobic content.

Controversy over the web series

Ali Abbas Zafar’s web series Tandav has some names that have a history of propagating against Hindus and often stand with anti-India forces. One such name is Zeeshan Ayyub, who portrays Lord Shiva in a very derogatory manner in the first few minutes of the series. The complete series is full of Hinduphobic content that can only be deemed as a propaganda-driven series. The big star cast includes Saif Ali Khan as well, who was recently criticized when he claimed that the upcoming movie on Epic Ramayana would justify Devi Sita’s kidnapping.

The controversy erupted from the first fifteen minutes of the series itself, in which Ayyub has portrayed Lord Shiva in a very derogatory way. The problematic content does not stop here. It continues to show the infamous ‘Azadi’ slogans on the pretext of JNU. In another scene when Sandhya Mridul asks her husband to sign the divorce papers, a jilted Dino says, “When a lower caste mandates a woman belonging to a higher caste, he is exacting revenge for centuries of oppression through just that one woman.”

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